Folding container



July 2; 1940. v v. A. RINGLER 'FoLDING conTAINEa 4 'sheets-sheet 1 Find Jury 1:5,4 1955 1 July 2,1940- w. A. RINGLER romanza; conTAmEa rind .my 1s.` 19,35

,MW su il?. Z" 1231- INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented July 2, 1940 UNITED sT-Mss'A PATENT oFFlcs yi 2,206,304 4 l v l Appuxitu; sgslamsi Achims. (Cieza-s1)- I and the end wall of the box,` the locking ap may i This invention relates to folding containers and more particularly to a container which may be 'assembled from a single blank of paperboard material and held together in assembled relation bythe interlockingof the parts.

The folding container forming the subject matter of this invention is preferablyformed'from a single blank .of paperboard material which is lo and end walls, the side and end walls being connected together by bellows folds adapted to bev folded inwardly to rest against the end walls. A

locking' flap is provided at each end of the container which is hingedly connected to one of the l bellows folds and is adapted to be turned inwardly and inserted between theend wall and the complementaryv bellows fold' toretain the container in rigid setup condition.

A cover portion of the container is preferably 20 formed as an integral part of the boirportion and comprises a top wall hinged to one of the sides of the box-portion. An important feature of this invention comprises the provision of end flanges hingedly connected'to the ends of the 1.5 top wall of the cover which are insertable between Y the adjacent end walls and bellows folds of the box, thus supporting the top wall of the cover against inward collapse.V The cover may also be provided with a' front nange which may be in 30 serted within the box or it may be arranged to overlap the outside face of the box side wall. The bellows folds connecting the side and end walls of the box may be folded either on the outside face of the adjacent end wall or the inside 5J face thereof. In the packaging of products which are moulded within the container or which prefrably require a container having a smooth interior, the bellows folds are folded on the outside of the end wall so as to present a boxhaving a '0 smooth interior wall surface. In the packagingv of boots, shoes and other products where a smooth exterior wall surface is desirable, the bellowsl folds are then preferably folded on the, inside f face of theend walls ofthe box.

4" To facilitate assembly of the container, vthe locking flaps associated with the box are prefer-y ably provided with tapered ends so as tol be'more readily insertable between the adjacent` end wall and bellows fold. A finger cutout in theend wall '50' may also be provided to furtherv facilitate `insertion of the locking ilaps and expedite assemblage of the container.

-To prevent unauthorized opening of the box or unauthorized contact with the contents vby 55- an implement inserted between the bellows folds be extended down to the bottom wallof the box.

A foot piece extension can also be provided on the locking flap which seats against the-bottom wall of the box. When thus constructed it becomes impossible to obtain access torthe' contents by means of a 'at implement inserted between the end wall and bellows f old of the box. suitably cut and scored to provide bottom,.side

AThe cover portion may be locked to' the box portion of the container -by simply providing lo locking ears or tabs hinged 'to the-outer' 4ends of the front ange of the cover: portion.' Thesev locking tabs are insertable between the front side wall and end wa'lls of the box, andthe cover portion cannot be removed without rst pryingV u or drawing the locking tabs from' their position betweenthe ends of the front side wallv "and the end walls of the box.

Where 'an unusually strong and rigid cover for the container is desired, the top wall of the cover '2 may be reinforced by top wall aps which fold to the front flange ofthe cover, andthe cover as 25 well asthe box can thus all be formed from a single blank of paperboard materiai."-.The top wall flaps may be interconnected together by means of-slits and tabs, or .th'ey maybe cohnected directly tothe top'wall of ythe cover. ,f f3

The container :can be formed from asingle blank cut and Vscored on an kautomatic cutting and scoring machine, and can thus'fbe made at v very low cost. The container may be shipped in blank form to the user, andv can then be assembled -35 by the user as `desired by-simply interlocking the flaps and folds, an operation which can be quickly performed by unskilled labor. The container is unusually strong anddurable, and is highly resistant to crushing strains imposed from without. 40 The container is adapted for thel packaging of numerous articles of merchandise, such. as boots, shoes, rubbers, clothing, wearing apparel, butter, cheese, crackers,'dairy products, food products, and numerous other articles of. merchandise.

Ari object of this invention is to provide a container which can be economically vformed from a single blank of paper board material, adapted to be cut and 'scored automatically,l and then' shipped in fiat blank condition, and which may '50 be readily. and quickly set up by the user as desired in ma knockdown condition, and set up by th user, which is highly resistant to crushing strains imposed from without, and which is admirably adapted for the packaging of numerous articles of merchandise.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a folding container which may be filled with semi-liquid or plastic contents molded into i insertable Within the end-walls of the box portion.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the novel'features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be parv ticularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood 'by referring to the following description taken in con- 30. nection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which 1 Fig. 1 shows a blank suitably cut and scored, ready for assembly into a container; v

- Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspectiv view of a container showing the box portion at one ,stage of the assembly operation;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a container showing the box portion at a more advanced stage of assembly;

4, Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a container showing the box portion compl'etely assembled and the cover portion about to be applied in closed position upon the box portion;

4l Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view through the container with the cover portion substantially in closed position on the box portion;

f Fig. 6 shows a blank ofslightly modified form,

the locking flaps being arranged at the opposite end of the blankfrom that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. "Tis an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a container in process of assembly from the blanks in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective" view of the container shown in Fig'. '1, in a further advanced stage of.assembly l Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the container illustrated in'l, .with the cover portion about to be applied. to the box' portion;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view ofA tlucompletelyA assembled. container as .it appears when formed 5 from the blank shownin Figs. 1 or 6, the bellows y`'foldsbeirlghownV and arranged on the outside face ofthe. end walls;

Fig. 11.is -a longitudinalcross-sectional view y through Ithe container shownin Fig.4 10, this ilsl ure ulustratingparucuisrly th manner ln which the locking flaps are assembled-and interlocked .with the bellows folds and end walls to retain. the

' box portion in assembled set-up relationship;

12 is an enlarged fragmentary perspec- A tiveviewofthepackedcontainerslwwinghnw aaoaaos the containe may be unfolded mw blank-:ons to give ready access to the contents;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view ofthe container' `scored to provide a container having a box portion of somewhat modied design and a cover portion equipped with locking tabs adapted to retain the cover portion locked to the box portion;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the container assembled from the lblank shown in Fig. 14, the box portion being shown as it appears at one stage of assembly;

. Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view ofthe conta advanced stage of e assembly operation;

Fig. 17 is an enl rged fragmentary perspective view of the conta er shown in Fig. 15. showing thecover portion about to be applied to the box portion;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view ofthe container shown in Fig. 15 as it appears when fully assembled, this view illustrating particularly the locking tab used to lock thefcover portion to the body portion;

Fig. 19 shows a blank which has been cut and scored to provide a folding container, the cover portion kformed from this blank being reinforced and strengthened by interlocking flaps;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged perspective view ofthe container formed from the blank shown in Fig. 19, the box portion and cover portion being shown as theyappear at one stage of the assembling operation; d

Fig. 21is a perspective view of the container' shown in Fig. 20, the box and body portions thereof being shown as they appear when fully assembled;

Fig. 22 s perspective view pf the muyv assembled container formed from the blank shown in Fig. 19, the cover portion Ibeing shown in closed telescoped position over the body portion;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary perspective view -otra blank somewhat similar to theV blank shown in Fig. 19 having slightly modified `top wall flaps -forming a part of the cover portion; and

Fig. 241s an enlarged fragmentary perspective view `of the container assembled from the blank as illustrated in Fig. 23. e Similar reference Vcharacters refer to y parts throughout the several views of the 'drawings and specification.

There is shown in Fig. 1a blank which has been suitably cut and scored to form. the box andl cover portions of the container, comprising generally a front side wall 2, a rear side wall l; and end. walls I, all `joined to the bottom wall I along the score linesa. The end walls 2 are Joined to the front and rear side walls by bellows folds comprisingthe triangular segments 4 and l which hinged together and to the side andI end walls along the score lines'a.v A frontside edge flap I3 may beprovided which is turned 'inwardly against the frontsidewall2.andendwallnaps 1 maybe provided which are turnedinwardly againshthe triangular' sections of the adjacent bellows fold.,`

l Locking flaps! hinged tothev triangular'bellows sections` i are provided to lock the box pox--- tion togethenin assembled 'set-up' relationship. as

will hereafter .be described- There may be provided a-topwali hinged .to the rear side wall'l alongthe score line-a and which forms the 'me er shown in Fig. 15 at a moreportion as desired.'`

In assembling the container, the bellows folds n at each corner are folded along the score -lines a defining the triangular sections l and 5 thereof so that the triangular section 4 lies against the raised end wall 3 and the triangular section i is superimposed over thesection I. When the triangular folds are folded over the outside face of the end walls 3, as particularly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.- -the bellows fold having no locking flap associated therewith is first folded against the outside face of theadjacent end wall and then the :complementary bellowsfold having the lockingfiap is folded to lie thereover.l -As shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, the locking` flap l is inserted between the adjacent end wall land the triangular section 4 of the bellows fold next adjacentthe end wall, thereby locking the side and end walls of the box portion together in rigid set-up relationship. "Ihe l free end of the locking flaps 8 are preferably tapered', and they also may be provided with a transverse score line b to facilitate insertion thereof. A finger cut-out .l2 may be provided in the top edge of each end wall Seto further facilitate the insertion of the locking tabs` between the end walls 3 and the adjacent bellows folds.

, When the box portion has been fully assemtion between the end 'wall 3 and the inturned 'portion f .the locking ap The, top wall s of the cover portion thus rests on the'top edge of the end wallsi when in closed position, thus providing a rigid support forthe cover portion preventing inward collapse thereof. The front flange I Ilof the fcover portionmay be inserted within the box portion, as shown in Fig. 5, or the flange may lie outside the box portion as shown lnFIE. 18.

' A paperboardblankof somewhat modified constructionisshowll inFlg. 6. .This blank shows the locking flaps Il hinged to the bellows folds which. connect thev front wallv 2 .to the elid wall Blof. the box. The. blank shown in Fig.` 6 is assembled in the samemanner as the blank shown VAslfurther.illustrated in Figs. 9 toll inclusive',.the bellows folds comprising the triangular sections `4 and 5 connecting'the realwall I to the end walls 3 are first folded inwardly against the raised end wall I, and then the bellows folds .comprising the triangular sections 4 and 5 connecting the front walls and end walls I are folded inwardly in superimposed relationship thereover. The locking folds I I are then inserted between .the adjacent end wall l and the adjacent belvWhen fully assembled, a rectangular box` which rigidly maintains its shape is provided. as shown in F18. 10.

The assembled The container herein deccrlbed lc admirably adapted for the packaging of semi-liquid or plas@ tic products which may be molded directly in the container. In packing of cheese in the container, for example, the cheese material P in plastic form is injected into the assembled box, as shown in Figs. 4 or 9. `It will be noted that these boxes present smooth interior surfaces which mold the cheese into a smooth rectangular block. I'he package can be opened, as illustrated in Fig. 12, by simply withdrawing the locking flap 8, thereby releasing thebellows folds from their locked position against the end wall 2. The top wall 9 'of the cover can then be lifted upwardly, and thecontainer flattened out into.

Isubstantially its o ginal blank form, as illustrated in Fig. 13. Th cheese or other molded product P can then sliced or otherwise removed from the blank w y and quickly]7 without damage or breaking molded form. In the-packaging of boots, shoes, rubbers. wearing apparel and other objects, it may be desirable to provide a container which has smooth and -even outside wall surfaces. In such event, the bellows folds are foldedinwardly against the inside face of the end walls, as illustrated more particularly ln lugs. l5 tc 13s,'lnc'1uslve. It ls thus seen that the bellows folds may be folded either on the outside or lthe inside of the end walls to provide either smooth interior or exterior wall surfaces, as appears most desirable.`

There is shown in Fig. 14 a Yblank which has been cut and scored to provide a'container having a body portion with locking flaps of somewhat modied form, and a cover portion having locking tabs associated therewith by means of which the cover portion may be securely locked in closed position to thebody portion. The blank is rectangular in form, and no'waste of material in cutting the container occurs. Locking flaps u 20, hinged'to the bellows folds which connect the nlrear side wall B and end walls 3 of the box por- Each of the locking flaps 20 may also be provided with a foot portion 22 which seats against the bottom wall -l, thus firmly locking the flap 20f in fixed position when thebox portion has been filled with contents, the weight of the contents bellows fold, as illustrated' in Figs. 16 and 17.

resting on the flootv portion l22 preventing removal of the locking flap. i g End flanges 2Q are hinged the cover portion 8 along the score lines a. A cut line c separates the end flanges from the locking flaps 20. The front flange Il of the cover portion is prvided with locking tabs Il hinged.. I l

thereto along the score lines a, the locking tabs 2| being separated from the foot portions 22 and the end flanges 2l bythe cuts c.

' The body portionof the ycontainer may be asV sembled from the blank shown in Fig. 14, by folding the bellows folds inwardly against either the outside face or inside fac'e of the adjacent end wall. as illustrated in'y Figs. l5, 16 and 17. The

elongated lockingflap or tongue 20 hinged to one of thebelllows folds is inserted between the adjacent endA wall and the 'complementary bellows fold, and drawn or threaded through the Seme until the foot portion 22 comes to rest against the inside face of the bottom wall I of the box portion. l

After the box portionhas been filled with conto the top wallof tents',..the end flanges 23 of the cover portion are inserted between the adjacent end wall 3and the adjacent bellows fold. When the bellows folds are folded against the inside face ofthe end wall 5 3, the bellows folds then serve to support the top wall 3 of the cover portion against inward. collapse, as clearly shown 'in Fig. 18. The front ange I of-the cover portion is telescoped over.

the outside face of the front wall 2 of the box portion so as to permit the insertion of the locking tabs or ears 2| between the adjacent end wall and the adjacent edge of the front'side wall and between the triangular portions 4 and 5 which connect the front side wall I to the end walls 3 16 of the box portion. A container having a cover portion locked to the body portion in the manner illustrated in Fig. 18 can be roughly handled. tumbled about. and turned upside down with the contents therein without danger thatthe cover portion will separate from the box portion.

There is shown in Fig. 19 a blank from which a container having a cover portion of unusual strength may be made. be made from blanks cut and scored in the manner shown in Fig. 19 substantially without waste of material. In the construction here shown, the top wall 9 of the cover portion is hinged to the rear side wall 8 of the body portion along the score linea, and a front flange I0 is hinged to the top wall 9. along the score linea. Top wall flaps 3l separated from thetop wall 3 by the cuts `c are hinged to the end flanges 3l along the score lines a, the end flanges 33 being in turn hinged to the front flange I3 'along the score lines a. locking flaps 34 are separated from the top wall iiap 3| by the cuts c.

In assembling a' container from the blank shown in Fig. 19, the bellows folds may be either folded against the outside face or the inside face of the end walls 3 as desired. The locking flap 3l is insertedbetween the adjacent end wall 3 and the complementary bellows fold, insertion being facilitated by the fold line b extending across the locking ap. v 45 The cover portion is assembled by first swinging the end flanges 33 upwardly at right angles to the front flange I0, as'shown in 1013.20, then folding the top wall flaps 3| inwardly and interconnectlng them by means of the tab 33 and slit 32, and finally dropping the `top wall iiaps 3i against the-l inside face of the top wall 3, as illustrated in Fig.

Il. If desired, the top' wall flaps 3| may be permanently secured to the inside face of the top wall 3 by a spot of glue or other securing means.n In" 55 this construction the front flange i3 and the'end iianges 30 o! thev cover' portion'are designed to telescope over the box portion of the container. The complete box, as thus assembled, 4'is shown in Fig. 22.

A cover construction of somewhat furtherv modliied form is shown in Figs. 23 and'24. .As illus- `trated in Fig. 23, end flanges Il hinged to the top wall 3 alongA the score line a are separated from the top wall flaps 23 and the locking i'iaps lll by the cuts c. The locking naps 43 are hinged to the bellows folds which connect'the rear walls l to the end -walls 3. The ltop wall flaps are hinged to the secondary end flanges l! 'along the- Cubical containers can endflanges 4l and 42 preferablytelescope over the outside yface of the box portion.'

It is now seen that a strong and sturdy container is provided comprising both box and cover portions, all formed from a single blank ofpaperboard material. -.The paperboard may be run through'an automatic cutting and scoring machine in large sheets and the blanks, properly scored and cut, may be rapidly blanked out. in a single operation. The'blanks can be shipped and stored flat condition, economizing in space and shipping costs until they are ready for use. .The

user can quickly assemble theI blanks into strong and sturdy set-up containers with unskilled labor,

requiring only the insertion of the locking flapsbetween .the adjacent end walls and bellows folds.

yWhen the box portion has been lled with contents, the cover p ortion can be quickly telescoped thereover, and when in place is supported against inward collapse by the box portion. Large numbers of these containers can be stacked one upon dropping out by reason of the cover portion separating from the box portion. The locking flaps can be extended in length so as to protect the contents from exposureto foreign instrumentalities, and, if desired, a foot portion may be provided on the locking flaps upon which the contents rest. preventing withdrawal of thelocking flaps until the 'contents have been removed. In another form, the loclng flaps can be so made as to. permit withdrawal thereof and the unfolding oi' the container into substantially its original blank form, thusv facilitating and expediting the removal of the contents. T'he container is admirably adapted for the packaging of enumerable classes of merchandise whereA a strong and sturdy container of low cost is desired.

Whilecertain novel features of the invention have'been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, vitwill be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespit of the invention.

" 'what n claimed is;

1..A folding box formed from a single blank of paperboard material including side and end walls, bellows'folds connecting said side and end walls foldable inwardly to overlie the exterior face of said end walls; and locking naps at each end of said box extending from certain of said bellows folds,'said flaps havingreduoed end portions facilitating insertion thereof between the c other offsaid bellows folds and said end walls to thereby retain said box in rigid set up condition, said box .when assembled presenting a smooth interior.

2. A folding box formed from a single blank of- -paperboard material including side and end walls, bellows folds connecting said side and-end' walls foldable outside of said end wallsithereby presenting a box having smooth interior wall surfaces', and locking naps hinged to certain of said' bellows foldsl having the major portion thereof 'inserted between the complementary belill lows fold and the adjacent end wa1l-to retain said box in rigid set up condition, said locking iiaps being of reduced width through' themajor portionoftheirlengths- C 3.1i folding container including box and cover portions formed from a single blank of paperboard material, said box portionv including front. rear and endV walls, an integral folded f iap reinforcing the top edges of said front and end walls.

bellows folds connecting the adjacent ends of said front, rear and end walls, said bellows folds being foldable inwardly to overlie said end walls, locking ilaps being inserted between said bellows foldsl and said end walls to retain said box poxv tion in rigid set up condition without further .securing means, said cover portion including a top wall hinged to said rear wall, side iianges extending from said top wall and insertable be- 5 tween said end wall and the adjacent bellows 'roms therebymppornng said tcp wsu against inward collapse. and a front flange extending from said top wall insertable within the front wall-of the box portion;v

4. A package made from a single foldable blanko piece suitably scored for the folding of front and rear sides and ends about the bottomfgussets between the sides and ends scored diagonally and folded outwardly about the ends, the rear 811B- sets provided with upwardly projecting foldable ytuck tabs centrallyl located on the outer part of each of said rear gussets and tucked between the folded front gusset and the end to retain the package in shape with a smooth interior.

wnuAM A. amenaza. s 

